Semicircular Multiple Mailbox Mount With Yieldable Crash Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiple mailbox mounts are prone to causing vehicle intrusion during collisions due to high-mass materials and inadequate yieldable connections, which can lead to hazards for drivers and passengers.
Innovation Solution
A low-mass, integral structure with a semicircular body and a yieldable vertical post connection that separates from the ground upon impact, preventing intrusion and allowing for easy reconnection, featuring a tubular vertical post with smooth exterior and diametrically-opposed tabs for secure anchoring, and a continuously-semicircular body attached to the post.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high-mass materials such as wood or metal are used in mailbox mounts, then the structural strength is improved, but the hazard to vehicle occupants during collision increases due to the horizontal member being freed with sufficient inertia to intrude into the vehicle interior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mass parameter of the mailbox mount from high-mass materials (wood or metal) to low-mass materials, fundamentally altering the inertial characteristics of the structure. This parameter change ensures that during collision, the horizontal member does not acquire sufficient inertia to break free and intrude into the vehicle, while still maintaining adequate structural strength through proper material selection and structural design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the mailbox mount into distinct functional components: a vertical post that can yieldably disconnect from the ground connection upon impact, and a horizontal member that remains attached to the post. This segmentation allows the vertical post to absorb collision energy through controlled disconnection while the horizontal member maintains its attachment and prevents vehicle intrusion
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a yieldable vertical post connection is used that separates from ground upon impact, then the likelihood of vehicle intrusion is reduced, but the complexity of ensuring ready reconnection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The yieldable connection is designed to automatically perform its primary function of disconnecting upon impact without requiring external intervention. The connection mechanism itself provides the yieldable disconnection capability through its inherent design, eliminating the need for complex external control systems or additional components to achieve the safety function
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical post connection is designed as a sacrificial element that is intended to fail in a controlled manner during collision. Rather than designing a complex system to protect the connection, the patent accepts the connection as a disposable safety feature that yields upon impact, simplifying the overall system design while maintaining safety
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an integral low-mass structure is used, then the safety characteristics are improved by reducing vehicle intrusion risk, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase to maintain structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vertical post and horizontal member into an integral low-mass structure, combining these components into a single unified structure. This merging eliminates the need for complex connections between separate parts, reducing the number of potential failure points and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the safety characteristics of the low-mass design
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple mailbox mount has a vertical post adapted to be anchored in the ground. A body having two opposed, spaced-apart, vertical ends, a continuously-semicircular curved section extending between the vertical ends, and a midpoint, is attached to the vertical post at the midpoint. A horizontal bar extends between the vertical ends of the body.